By Blake Jackson
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced more than $25.17 million in grants to support 14 important open space conservation projects across the state. The funding is part of a new program designed to protect valuable natural areas and ensure that future generations can benefit from healthy environments and outdoor spaces.
Open space conservation plays an important role in protecting water quality, improving air quality, supporting wildlife habitats, and reducing the effects of climate change. Protected lands also help communities by reducing flood risks, lowering extreme heat impacts, increasing access to parks and shorelines, and preserving important cultural and natural resources.
The grant program supports municipalities, land trusts, community organizations, and other partners working to protect open spaces. Through these efforts, communities gain better access to nature while strengthening environmental health and resilience.
“Governor Hochul recognizes the impact that conserving open space can have in protecting biodiversity, safeguarding water quality, maintaining working forests, and strengthening community resilience to climate change,” Commissioner Lefton said.
“This first round of new funding allows our local partners to permanently protect high-value natural areas, while also providing new recreation opportunities and expanding public access to open spaces, particularly in disadvantaged communities. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York State’s continued investments through programs like the Open Space Conservation Grant Program ensure critical habitats and natural resources remain protected, connected, and resilient, so that more New Yorkers can enjoy and benefit from them” Lefton said.
The awards represent the first funding round of DEC’s Open Space Conservation Grant Program. The program follows the passage of the 2022 Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act and includes public input on how the funding should be used.
A total of $100 million is allocated to the grant program, with additional funding rounds expected. Its goals include improving water quality, strengthening climate resilience, protecting open spaces, and supporting public health.
The selected projects also support New York’s Open Space Plan and its goal of conserving 30% of the state’s land and water by 2030.
Funding comes from the Environmental Bond Act and the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF). The EPF supports land purchases, farmland protection, invasive species control, recreation access, water quality improvements, and environmental justice projects.
The grants support a range of habitats and community needs across the state. Capital Region projects protect important natural landscapes, including ecologically valuable pine barrens. Long Island projects focus on coastal areas, forests, wetlands, and rare grasslands.
In the Mid-Hudson region, funding helps protect rare bats, birds, and other wildlife habitats. New York City receives support for community gardens, while Southern Tier projects strengthen environmental education. Western New York projects improve public access to nature and protect important habitats.
The grants are distributed as follows:
Capital Region
- Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy: $825,800
- Columbia Land Conservancy: $3.5 million
Long Island
- North Shore Land Alliance: $3.5 million
- Niamuck Land Trust: $3,093,810
- Town of Brookhaven: $1,403,185
Mid-Hudson
- Town of Wappinger: $2,716,627
- Town of Warwick: $3.5 million
- Open Space Institute Land Trust: $712,550
- Friends of Buttonhook Forest: $1,255,384
New York City
- Bronx Land Trust: $2,150,000
- Southern Tier
- Tompkins County Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE-Tompkins): $671,288
Western New York
- Western New York Land Conservancy: $1,321,420
- Buffalo Bat Habitat, Inc.: $393,942
- Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy Inc.: $126,950
On November 8, 2022, New York voters approved the $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act. The initiative allows state agencies, local governments, and partners to fund projects that protect water quality, reduce pollution, improve climate resilience, safeguard drinking water, and create green jobs.
To date, New York State has made $2 billion, or approximately 50% of the Bond Act's total funding, available for projects.
The 2026-27 State Budget also maintains the Environmental Protection Fund at $425 million, a historically high level. The fund supports climate change planning, sustainable agriculture, water protection, conservation, and recreational opportunities.
Through these investments, New York continues to protect natural resources while improving public access to green spaces and helping communities respond to environmental challenges.
Photo Credit: istock-alenamozhjer
Categories: New York, Government & Policy